Video matrix controller

ABSTRACT

A video matrix controller, including a receiving module, a matrix switch module and a transmission module. The matrix switch module is coupled between the receiving module and the transmission module. The receiving module includes a first port interface and a first transceiver. The first port interface receives image data and converts it to a signal, and transmits it to the first transceiver. The transmission module includes a second transceiver and a second port interface. The signal is transmitted from the first transceiver to the matrix switch module. The second transceiver receives the signal, and the second port interface converts the signal to image data and transmits it to a corresponding external display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a video controller, and in particular, itrelates to a video matrix controller.

Description of Related Art

With the rapid development of new technologies, information technologyis changing people's lifestyle. Today, various types of video apparatusapply technology, network and their combination to make image displaytechnologies more diverse, and image resolution is also greatlyimproved, so that image display methods help consumer to change theirvisual impression of products.

Matrix display devices are widely used for outdoor display such as onthe streets. They use multiple display devices arranged in X*X or X*Yvideo matrices (also called TV walls). The display devices can receivethe same image, or, an original image can be divided into X*X or X*Ysub-images, and the sub-images are transmitted to the correspondingdisplay device in a predetermined correspondence order. This way,although the individual display devices receive different sub-images, bysimultaneous display of the multiple display devices, the original imageis enlarged and displayed on the video matrix, to attract consumer'sattention. In conventional technology, the original image is divided andtransmitted to corresponding display devices by a video matrix controldevice (such as a controller, switch, distributor, converter, etc.).Conventional video matrix control devices have the followingdisadvantages: The connection between the receiving end and thetransmitting end is one-to-one; for a large scale matrix system, such as32*32, the number of components and their wiring are increased. As aresult, the wiring is complex, the wire cost is increased, and the sizeof the control device is increased. It also increases repair complexityand cost. Also, one-to-one wiring cannot support cross-screenpicture-in-picture (PIP) display and other extended applications. Inother words, conventional TV wall mode cannot achieve cross-screen PIPdisplay.

To solve various problems of the conventional technology, it is desiredto simplify the internal structure of the control devices, reduce thenumber of internal components and wiring, reduce the size of the controldevice, and expand applications of the control device, for example toachieve PIP in cross-screen mode.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a video matrix controlapparatus that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due tolimitations and disadvantages of the related art. The video matrixcontrol apparatus includes a plurality of receiving modules, a matrixswitch module, and a plurality of transmission modules. Each receivingmodule includes a plurality of first port interfaces and a firsttransceiver element; each first port interface is configured to receivean image data and convert it to a respective signal. The plurality offirst port interfaces are coupled to the first transceiver element,where the signals from the plurality of first port interfaces aretransmitted to the first transceiver element. The first transceiverelements of the plurality of receiving modules are coupled to the matrixswitch module, and the signals are transmitted to the matrix switchmodule via the first transceiver elements. The plurality of transmissionmodules are coupled to the matrix switch module, each transmissionmodule including a second transceiver element and a plurality of secondport interfaces. Each of the second transceiver element is coupled tothe matrix switch module, configured to receive a plurality of thesignals. The plurality of second port interfaces are coupled to thesecond transceiver element, each second port interface configured toconvert a respective one of the signals to a corresponding image data,and to transmit the image data to a corresponding external displaydevice.

To achieve the above object, the number of link pairs between each firsttransceiver element and the matrix switch module is M, the number oflink pairs between each second transceiver element and the matrix switchmodule is N, and N is greater than M. More specifically, N/M=8.

To achieve the above object, the number of link pairs between eachreceiving module and the matrix switch module is M, the number of linkpairs between each transmission module and the matrix switch module isN, and N is greater than M. More specifically, N/M=8.

To achieve the above object, the first transceiver elements and thesecond transceiver elements are field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA),and the matrix switch module includes a crosspoint switch.

To achieve the above object, the video matrix control device furtherincludes a streaming module, coupled to the transmission modules and thematrix switch module, for capturing images from the transmissionmodules. The streaming module is configured to be coupled to a computerfor displaying the captured images on a display of the computer. Inanother aspect, the present invention provides a video matrix controldevice system, which includes a processing unit, a memory, a receivingmodule, a matrix switch module, and a transmission module. The receivingmodule, the matrix switch module and the transmission module are coupledto the processing unit. The receiving module includes a plurality offirst port interfaces and a first transceiver element, where theplurality of first port interfaces are coupled to the first transceiverelement. The transmission module includes a plurality of second portinterfaces and a second transceiver element, where the plurality ofsecond port interfaces are coupled to the second transceiver element.

To achieve the above objects, the matrix switch module is coupledbetween the receiving module and the transmission module. The number oflink pairs between the receiving module and the matrix switch module isM, the number of link pairs between the transmission module and thematrix switch module is N, and N is greater than M.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is another block diagram which illustrates the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which illustrates a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

These drawings and the following detailed descriptions are indented toexplain the above aspects and advantages of embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below.These description explains implementation details of the embodiments, toallow the reader to understand the embodiments. However, those skilledin the relevant art would appreciate that the invention may beimplemented without some of the details. Further, for purposes ofclarity and brevity, well known structures and functions are notdescribed in detail. The terminology used in the following descriptionsshould be given the broadest reasonable interpretation, even when theyare used to describe details of the embodiments.

Refer to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram showing the structure of avideo matrix control device 100 (referred to as device 100) according toa first embodiment. In practical applications, the device 100 isdisposed between multiple image sources 30 and multiple image outputdevices 50 (i.e. the video matrix apparatus). In other words, the device100 can be coupled to multiple different image sources (such asmultimedia players, Blu-ray players, etc.), and also coupled to multipledifferent image output devices (such as a video matrix apparatus).Further, the device 100 can be coupled to a remote electronic device 40,to allow remote operators to use the remote electronic device 40 tocontrol the video matrix system, as shown in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the device 100 includes at least one receiving (RX)module 102, at least one transmission (TX) module 106 and a matrixswitch module 104. The matrix switch module 104 is coupled between thereceiving module 102 and the transmission module 106. Each receivingmodule 102 includes multiple first port interfaces (RX PHY) 1022 and afirst transceiver element (FPGA) 1024. The multiple first portinterfaces 1022 are all coupled to the one first transceiver element1024. Each first port interface 1022 respectively receives image datafrom an image source 30, converts the image data to a correspondingsignal, and transmits the signal to the first transceiver element 1024.The signal may be one of transition-minimized differential signaling(TMDS) format signal, low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) formatsignal, serializer/deserializer (SerDes) format signal,transistor-to-transistor logic (TTL) format signal, or mobilehigh-definition link (MHL) format signal, etc.

In one embodiment, the first transceiver elements 1024 of multiplereceiving modules 102 are all coupled to the matrix switch module 104,and each signal is transmitted to the matrix switch module 104 via thecorresponding first transceiver element 1024 of the receiving module102.

In one embodiment, each transmission module 106 includes multiple secondport interfaces (RX PHY) 1064 and a second transceiver element (FPGA)1062. The second port interfaces 1064 are all coupled to the one secondtransceiver element 1062. The second transceiver element 1062 is coupledto the matrix switch module 104 to receive multiple signals.

The second port interfaces 1064 respectively convert the multiplesignals back to the multiple original image data, and transmit them tothe corresponding multiple external display devices (i.e. image outputdevices 50).

The matrix switch module 104 includes a processor 1042, a memory 1044and a cross-switch unit 1046. The cross-switch unit 1046 is coupled tothe processor 1042 and memory 1044. In one embodiment, the cross-switchunit 1046 may be a crosspoint switch, a FPGA (field-programmable gatearray), or shunts combined with a switch. In one embodiment, the numberof link (or line) pairs between each first transceiver element 1024 andthe matrix switch module 104 is M, and the number of link (or line)pairs between each second transceiver element 1062 and the matrix switchmodule 104 is N, where N is greater than M.

For example, refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates a preferred embodimentof the present invention. This embodiment uses TMDS signal as an exampleto illustrate the implementation. The matrix switch module 104 iscoupled to eight receiving modules 102 on one side. To avoidovercrowding, the figure only shows two of them and the other six arenot shown. Each receiving module 102 includes four first port interfaces1022 and one first transceiver element 1024, and each first portinterface 1022 is coupled to a respective image source. Thus, on theleft-hand side of FIG. 2, a total of thirty-two image sources can becoupled. These image sources may be the same or different. On theright-hand side of FIG. 2, the other side of the matrix switch module104 is coupled to eight transmission modules 106. To avoid overcrowding,the figure only shows two of them and the other six are not shown. Eachtransmission module 106 includes four second port interfaces 1064 andone second transceiver element 1062, and each second port interface 1064is coupled to a respective image output device 50. Between eachreceiving module 102 and the matrix switch module 104, there is one pairof link, i.e., M=1. Between each transmission module 106 and the matrixswitch module 104, there are eight pairs of links, i.e., N=8, so N isgreater than M. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that theinvention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and thevalues of M and N are not limited to the above example, but can beadjusted based on practical need, so long as the values of N and M meetthe condition that N is greater than M. This way, the one-to-one wiringwithin conventional control devices is not needed, and wiring can besimplified.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 further includes astreaming module 108, coupled to the processor 1042 and the transmissionmodules 106, for capturing images from the transmission modules 106 andtransmitting them to the remote electronic device 40.

Refer to FIG. 3, which illustrates the architecture of a video matrixcontrol system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.The system 200 may be implemented in software, hardware, and/orfirmware. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the variousmodules described in this disclosure are not limited to individualcomponents but can be implemented in multiple components. For example,the architecture of the video matrix control system 200 may beimplemented in multiple computing devices. In one embodiment, the system200 may be stored in computer readable non-transitory media. Forexample, it may be partly stored in the computing device 40.

The system 200 includes a processing unit 2042, a memory 2044, areceiving module 202, a matrix switch module 204, a transmission module206, and a streaming module 208. The receiving module 202, the matrixswitch module 204, and the transmission module 206 are all coupled tothe processing unit 2042 and controlled by it. The matrix switch module204 is coupled between the receiving module 202 and the transmissionmodule 206. The system 200 is coupled between multiple image sources 30and multiple image output devices 50 (i.e. the video matrix displayapparatus). In one embodiment, the receiving module 202 is stored in animage source 30, and the transmission module 206 is stored in an imageoutput device 50, and the matrix switch module 204 is stored in thecomputer 40.

The receiving module 202 includes multiple first port interfaces (RXPHY) 2022 and a first transceiver element (FPGA) 2024. The multiplefirst port interfaces (RX PHY) 2022 are all coupled to the firsttransceiver element (FPGA) 2024. Each first port interface (RX PHY) 2022respectively receives image data from an image source 30, converts it toa corresponding signal, and transmits the signal to the firsttransceiver element 2024.

In one embodiment, the first transceiver element 2024 of the receivingmodule 202 is coupled to the matrix switch module 204, and the receivingmodule 202 transmits signals to the matrix switch module 204 via thefirst transceiver element 2024.

In one embodiment, the transmission module 206 includes multiple secondport interfaces (RX PHY) 2064 and a second transceiver element (FPGA)2062. The second port interfaces 2064 are coupled to the secondtransceiver element 2062. The second transceiver element 2062 is coupledto the matrix switch module 204, to receive multiple signals. The secondport interfaces 2064 convert the multiple signals to multiple originalimage data, and transmit them to the corresponding external displaydevices (i.e. image output devices 50).

The matrix switch module 204 includes a cross-exchange unit 2046. In oneembodiment, the cross-exchange unit 2046 is a crosspoint switch. In oneembodiment, the number of link (or line) pairs between the receivingmodule 202 and the matrix switch module 204 is M, and the number of link(or line) pairs between the transmission module 206 and the matrixswitch module 204 is N, where N is greater than M. In one embodiment,the number of link (or line) pairs between the first transceiver element2024 and the matrix switch module 204 is M, and the number of link (orline) pairs between the second transceiver element 2062 and the matrixswitch module 204 is N, where N is greater than M. The values of M and Nare not limited to the above example, but can be adjusted based onpractical need, so long as the values of N and M meet the condition thatN is greater than M. For clarity of the drawings and to avoidovercrowding, FIG. 3 does not illustrate the link (or line) pairsbetween the receiving module 202, the matrix switch module 204 and thetransmission module 206 of the system 200, but the link pairconfiguration can be understood by referring to FIG. 2. It should beunderstood that the ratio of N/M is not limited to eight, and can beadjusted based on the number of components within the modules. In thesystem 200, the links or lines may include wired connections, wirelessconnections or their combination.

The port interfaces described in this disclosure include physical portsand their transmission interfaces. They must match the interfaces of theimage sources 30. For example, if an image source 30 uses HDMI interfaceto transmit signals, then the corresponding port interface of the device100 or system 200 should use HDMI interface and the physical port shoulduse HDMI connectors. The transceiver elements described in thisdisclosure may include field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or othercircuits that can be repeatedly reconfigured, to allow operators toprogram them based on practical need.

From the above descriptions, it can be seen that compared toconventional technology, the system architecture according toembodiments of the present invention can greatly reduce the number ofcomponents, simplify wiring configuration, and can support cross-screenPIP in TV wall mode, expanding the application of the video matrixcontrol device.

The descriptions above are provided for explanatory purposes, and thevarious specific details are provided for a thorough understanding ofthe invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will be able toimplement this invention without certain specific details. In otherembodiment, some well-known structures and devices are not shown in theblock diagrams. Between various elements shown in the drawings,intermediate structures may be present. The various described elementsmay include additional inputs and outputs, even though they are notshown in detail in the drawings.

In the various embodiments, certain elements are shown as separatecircuits, but some or all elements may be integrated into one circuit.Thus, each of the various elements recited in the appended claims maycorrespond to one or more circuits.

Embodiments of the present invention include various processingprograms, which may be embedded in hard drives or other computerreadable memory and executed by processors. The processors may begeneral or special purpose processors or logic circuit that can executeprogram instructions, which execute the programs. The various componentsof the embodiments may also be combinations of hardware and software.The various modules, devices, or assemblies describe here may includehardware, software or their combinations. The modules described in theembodiments may include software, software data, commands and/orconfigurations, and can be implemented by the described mechanisms,electronics and hardware. Other aspects of the present invention providecomputer program products, including a computer usable non-transitorymedium having a computer readable program code embedded therein, wherethe program can be executed by processors or other electronic componentsto perform the methods described above. The computer usablenon-transitory medium may include, without limitation, magnetic disks,optical discs, CD-ROMs, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic memory,optical card, flash memory, or other computer usable medium suitable forwriting and reading programs. Further, the computer program productsaccording to embodiments of the present invention may also bedownloadable programs which may be transmitted from a remote computer toa specified computer.

In the various methods described above, steps or information may beadded or removed without departing from the spirit of the invention.Those skilled in the art can further improve the various embodiments.The embodiments described above are for explanation only and are notlimiting.

In the above descriptions, when it is said that “component A isconnected (or coupled) to component B”, component A may be directlyconnected (or coupled) to B, or indirectly connected (or coupled) to Bvia component C. When it is said that a component, characteristics,structure, process or property A causes a component, characteristics,structure, process or property B, it is meant that A is at least a partof the cause of B, and other component, characteristics, structure,process or property may also help to cause B. When the word “may” isused, the component, characteristics, structure, process or property isnot limited to what is described. Further, the number of various itemsdescribes in the specification is not limited to one.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodification and variations can be made in the apparatus and relatedmethods of the present invention without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations that come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video matrix control device, comprising: aplurality of receiving modules, each receiving module including: aplurality of first port interfaces, each configured to receive an imagedata and convert it to a signal; and a first transceiver element,coupled to the plurality of first port interfaces, wherein the signalsfrom the plurality of first port interfaces are transmitted to the firsttransceiver element; a matrix switch module, wherein the firsttransceiver elements of the plurality of receiving modules are coupledto the matrix switch module, and the signals are transmitted to thematrix switch module via the first transceiver elements; and a pluralityof transmission modules, coupled to the matrix switch module, eachtransmission module including: a second transceiver element, coupled tothe matrix switch module, configured to receive a plurality of thesignals; a plurality of second port interfaces, coupled to the secondtransceiver element, each second port interface configured to convert arespective one of the signals to a corresponding image data, and totransmit the image data to a corresponding external display device,wherein a number of link pairs between each first transceiver elementand the matrix switch module is M, a number of link pairs between eachsecond transceiver element and the matrix switch module is N, andwherein N is greater than M.
 2. The video matrix control device of claim1, further comprising: a streaming module, coupled to the transmissionmodules and the matrix switch module, for capturing images from thetransmission modules.
 3. The video matrix control device of claim 2,wherein the streaming module is configured to be coupled to a computerfor displaying the captured images on a display of the computer.
 4. Thevideo matrix control device of claim 1, wherein the first transceiverelements and the second transceiver elements are field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA).
 5. The video matrix control device of claim 1, whereinthe matrix switch module includes a crosspoint switch.
 6. The videomatrix control device of claim 1, wherein N/M=8.
 7. A video matrixcontrol device, comprising: a receiving module, including: a first portinterface, configured to receive an image data and convert it to asignal; and a first transceiver element, coupled to the first portinterface, wherein the signal from the first port interface istransmitted to the first transceiver element; a matrix switch module,wherein the first transceiver element of the receiving module is coupledto the matrix switch module, and the signal is transmitted to the matrixswitch module via the first transceiver element; and a transmissionmodule, coupled to the matrix switch module, the transmission moduleincluding: a second transceiver element, coupled to the matrix switchmodule, configured to receive the signal; and a second port interface,coupled to the second transceiver element, the second port interfaceconfigured to convert the signal to a corresponding image data, and totransmit the image data to an external display device, wherein a numberof link pairs between the first transceiver element and the matrixswitch module is M, a number of link pairs between the secondtransceiver element and the matrix switch module is N, and wherein N isgreater than M.
 8. The video matrix control device of claim 7, furthercomprising: a streaming module, coupled to the transmission module andthe matrix switch module, for capturing images from the transmissionmodules.
 9. The video matrix control device of claim 8, wherein thestreaming module is configured to be coupled to a computer fordisplaying the captured images on a display of the computer.
 10. Thevideo matrix control device of claim 7, wherein the first transceiverelement and the second transceiver element are field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA).
 11. The video matrix control device of claim 7, whereinthe matrix switch module includes a crosspoint switch.
 12. The videomatrix control device of claim 7, wherein N/M=8.
 13. A video matrixcontrol system, comprising: a processing unit; a memory; a receivingmodule, including: a plurality of first port interfaces, each configuredto receive an image data and convert it to a corresponding signal; and afirst transceiver element, coupled to the plurality of first portinterfaces, wherein the signal from the first port interface istransmitted to the first transceiver element; a matrix switch module,wherein the first transceiver element of the receiving module is coupledto the matrix switch module, and the signal is transmitted to the matrixswitch module via the first transceiver element; and a transmissionmodule, coupled to the matrix switch module, the transmission moduleincluding: a second transceiver element, coupled to the matrix switchmodule, configured to receive the signal; and a plurality of second portinterfaces, each coupled to the second transceiver element, each secondport interface configured to convert a corresponding one of the signalto a corresponding image data, and to transmit the image data to anexternal display device, wherein the receiving module, the matrix switchmodule and the transmission module are coupled to the processing unit,wherein the matrix switch module is coupled between the receiving moduleand the transmission module, and wherein a number of link pairs betweenthe first receiving module and the matrix switch module is M, a numberof link pairs between the second receiving module and the matrix switchmodule is N, and wherein N is greater than M.
 14. The video matrixcontrol system of claim 13, further comprising: a streaming module,coupled to the transmission module and the matrix switch module, forcapturing images from the transmission modules.
 15. The video matrixcontrol system of claim 8, wherein the streaming module is configured tobe coupled to a computer for displaying the captured images on a displayof the computer.
 16. The video matrix control system of claim 7, whereinthe first transceiver element and the second transceiver element arefield-programmable gate arrays (FPGA).
 17. The video matrix controlsystem of claim 7, wherein the matrix switch module includes acrosspoint switch.
 18. The video matrix control system of claim 7,wherein N/M=8.